The best soundbar in 2023: Boost your TV sound with these top buys

Hero image for best soundbar showing the Devialet Dione soundbar mounted on a wall beneath a TV scree
(Image credit: Devialet)
What is Dolby Atmos?

More and more of the best soundbars are embracing Dolby Atmos, which is a surround sound technology designed to simulate the immersive 3D audio you'd get from a movie theater. The big difference between Atmos and traditional surround sound is that you'll hear sound move up and down and not just side-to-side, allowing you to get extra immersed when, say, a car flies overhead in an action movie. For more a in-depth explanation and to find out how to get it, see Dolby Atmos explained.      

Picking the best soundbar can solve many of your TV sound issues. Can't hear what's being said on your TV? A soundbar's dialog settings can help. Do big-budget blockbusters lack the explosive sound to match the on-screen images? A good soundbar will bring movie soundtracks to life. 

All the soundbars listed below have the kind of performance to match today's vibrant big screen images. We spend hours testing soundbars at home just as they're intended to be used and rate them on ease of setup and daily use, dialog sound quality, power output, design, and of course how well they create an immersive surround sound experience for several listeners. 

Read on to discover the right soundbar for you. And don't forget, you'll find lots more info in our in-depth standalone reviews, covering installation, customization, and performance. Just follow the link at the end of each product summary to learn more.

Top 3 best soundbars

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best soundbar overall: Devialet Dione  
A full-on Dolby Atmos soundbar that's dynamic, expansive and nuanced. It achieves a big immersive soundstage with plenty of bass punch to satisfy. The Devialet is a must-hear soundbar if you have deep pockets and are looking for the best-sounding and most elegant soundbar solution right now. (opens in new tab)

Best soundbar overall: Devialet Dione  
A full-on Dolby Atmos soundbar that's dynamic, expansive and nuanced. It achieves a big immersive soundstage with plenty of bass punch to satisfy. The Devialet is a must-hear soundbar if you have deep pockets and are looking for the best-sounding and most elegant soundbar solution right now.

Best smart soundbar: Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc optimizes its sound to your room like few others, thanks to its Trueplay auto-tuning capabilities and means you're always sat in the best seat in the house for movie sound. It also has voice control support via Alexa and Google Assistant. The price may be high but this is one of the smartest soundbars you can buy right now. (opens in new tab)

Best smart soundbar: Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc optimizes its sound to your room like few others, thanks to its Trueplay auto-tuning capabilities and means you're always sat in the best seat in the house for movie sound. It also has voice control support via Alexa and Google Assistant. The price may be high but this is one of the smartest soundbars you can buy right now.

Best value soundbar: Yamaha YAS-209 
This long-running soundbar is still great value. It comes with a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth, and Alexa voice control. It has HDMI in/out ports, along with optical digital audio, and delivers good overall sound. Dialog has excellent depth and gravitas, and the 3D Surround mode is impressively wide. It's good with music, too. (opens in new tab)

Best value soundbar: Yamaha YAS-209 
This long-running soundbar is still great value. It comes with a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth, and Alexa voice control. It has HDMI in/out ports, along with optical digital audio, and delivers good overall sound. Dialog has excellent depth and gravitas, and the 3D Surround mode is impressively wide. It's good with music, too.

What are the best soundbars to buy right now?

Devialet Dione soundbar product shot facing diagonally across the page on TG backgroundEditor's Choice

(Image credit: Devialet)
Bags of power to deliver big movie thrills at home with gusto

Specifications

Size: 3.5 x 47.2 x 6.5 inches
Inputs/outputs: 1x HDMI in; 1x HDMI out (eARC/ARC); Digital optical; Ethernet
Audio channels: 5.1.2
Wireless: AirPlay 2; Bluetooth 5.0; Spotify Connect; UPnP
Subwoofer: Built-in
Power output: 950W
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Expansive, informative and assertive full-range sound
+
Intriguing design and high-quality finish
+
Flexible about placement

Reasons to avoid

-
Eye-wateringly expensive
-
No HDMI passthrough
-
No remote control

Never knowingly understated, Devialet's Dione soundbar manages to bring a little of the high-end company's customary design drama to the world of do-it-all, add-on TV speakers. In keeping with much of its luxury output, the Dione is properly expensive, strikingly stylish, and a full-on 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos affair, designed to deliver a surround-sound experience from a single unit.

Given a full-on, action-packed Dolby Atmos soundtrack to deal with, the Dione is a dynamic, expansive and quite nuanced listen. For a soundbar that goes without the low-frequency reinforcement of a partnering subwoofer, the straightforward amount of bass it’s able to produce really is quite remarkable. ‘Punch’ and ‘rumble’ are both available, and are of an order of magnitude that eludes all but the most accomplished of the Devialet’s rivals. Width and height soundstage elements are deeply effective, which all adds up to a must-hear soundbar if you happen to have deep pockets and are looking for one of the best-sounding and most elegant Dolby Atmos soundbar solutions on the market right now.

Read our full Devialet Dione review.

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 on wooden tabletopEditor's Choice

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
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The best soundbar overall for movies and music

Specifications

Size: 2.6 x 47.6 x 5.5 inches
Inputs/outputs: HDMI; Digital optical; Ethernet; USB-C (service only)
Audio channels: 3.1.2
Wireless: AirPlay 2; Bluetooth aptX Adaptive; Spotify Connect
Subwoofer: Integrated
Power output: 400W
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Lively, muscular and expansive movie sound
+
Properly accomplished with music
+
Useful touch controls and app

Reasons to avoid

-
Dolby Atmos effect not as pronounced as some
-
Close rivals cost less

Although the most expensive model in this buying guide, the Panorama 3 is Bowers & Wilkins' most affordable soundbar to date. It's more costly than the Sonos Arc but if it’s sound quality you prize, the Panorama 3 is worth every penny. The 3.1.2 speaker configuration integrates forward-firing left, right and center channels and for cinematic rumble and punch there a two built-in subwoofer drivers along with Dolby Atmos Elevation drive units. 

Powered by a total of 400 watts of Class D amplification, means the Panorama 3 can deal with those big dynamic shifts so beloved of cinema the world over without breaking sweat and is expressive and articulate where music is concerned too. It's extremely well judged and coherent with all kinds of music and movie content, while Dolby Atmos content projects well beyond the confines of the speaker cabinet, and in all directions. There’s real width to the soundstage the Bowers & Wilkins establishes, and there’s a proper sensation of movement as effects pan from one side of the stage to the other as soundtrack are served up with plenty of confidence and no little style. 

Read the full Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 review

The Editor's Choice Sonos ArcEditor's Choice

(Image credit: Sonos)
The best smart soundbar

Specifications

Size: 45 x 4.5 x 3.4 inches
Inputs/outputs: Ethernet; HDMI ARC
Audio channels: Not specified
Wireless: Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 capable
Subwoofer: No
Power output (rated): Not specified
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Clear vocals and focused sound
+
Strong, Sonos-quality bass
+
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in

Reasons to avoid

-
Takes up quite a bit of space on a TV stand

The Sonos Arc is the best soundbar you can buy if you’re able to splurge. This premium speaker stands out with its gorgeous curved design, which is built to be a centerpiece of your living room as much as it’s meant to enhance your TV’s sound. And it certainly doesn’t skimp on sound performance, delivering deep bass and clear treble for your favorite movies and TV shows complete with Dolby Atmos support. 

Thanks to Sonos’ TruePlay technology, the Arc can automatically tune itself to whatever room it’s in to deliver the crispest, most accurate audio possible. It also supports voice controls via Alexa and Google Assistant, making it one of the smartest soundbars you can buy. If you have a larger entertainment area — and big budget, the Sonos Arc is the top premium soundbar out there. 

Read our full Sonos Arc review.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar under Samsung Q80T QLED TV

(Image credit: Future)
The best-sounding soundbar for small TVs

Specifications

Size: 25.6 x 2.3 x 3.9 inches, 6.2 pounds
Inputs/Outputs: HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2
Audio Channels: Stereo
Bluetooth: No
Subwoofer: No
Power output (rated): Not specified
Wall mountable: No

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive sound for its size
+
3D audio with support for Dolby Atmos
+
Reliable TruePlay tuning
+
Best option for 55-inch and smaller TVs

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Some new formats not available at launch

An upgrade to one of the best soundbars available, the second-gen Sonos Beam brings a new CPU, tweaked profiles, more audio formats, and HDMI eArc support into the mix. The drivers have been re-tuned, resulting in a crisper central channel that emphasizes vocal clarity and dialog. Dolby Atmos and other home-theater sound formats grant you numerous ways to experience wide 3D sound in your living room. Other unique features like NFC for seamless setup, as well as TruePlay to curate sound to your space and optimal couch position, bring more value to this small speaker system. It also pairs perfectly with 55-inch (or smaller) HDTVs.

You should know that Sonos products don’t come cheap and the price tag on this beauty might be a bit steep for the average consumer. Those who can afford it will find this to be a welcome addition to their ecosystem of Sonos products.

Read our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review.

Yamaha YAS-209 on TV stand with screen abovebest value awards badge

(Image credit: Yamaha)
Best soundbar speaker with a subwoofer and Alexa

Specifications

Size: 36.6 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches (soundbar); 36.6 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches (subwoofer)
Inputs/outputs: 1x HDMI in; 1x HDMI out; 1x Optical in
Audio channels: Not specified
Wireless: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.2
Subwoofer: Yes (wireless)
Power output (rated): 200W (soundbar) 100W (subwoofer)

Reasons to buy

+
Clear and intelligible dialog
+
Excellent for music 
+
Alexa voice control

Reasons to avoid

-
Subwoofer lacks punch with some movie effects
-
Only 1 HDMI input

Launched in 2019 and still going strong, the YAS-209 soundbars is aimed at delivering great features at an affordable price. This excellent package comes with a wireless subwoofer to boost low-end frequencies and has Alexa integration onboard. The smart and versatile combo brings movie soundtracks to life with a rich and powerful sound, and has an impressively wide soundstage when 3D Surround mode is enabled. Movie dialog is easy to understand and has excellent depth and gravitas, and the Yamaha doubles as a great-sounding music system, too. 

We just wish there was more than one HDMI port on the back, but even so, the YAS-209 has a lot to like.

Read our full Yamaha YAS-209 review.

Samsung HW-Q990B soundbar under TV

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Dolby Atmos audio the way it was meant to sound

Specifications

Size: 48.5 x 2.7 x 5.4 inches (soundbar); 5.1 x 7.9 x 5.5 inches (surrounds); 8.7 x 16.3 x 16.1 inches (subwoofer)
Inputs/outputs: 2x HDMI in; 1x HDMI out (eARC/ARC); Digital optical;
Audio channels: 11.1.4
Wireless: AirPlay 2; Bluetooth SBC, AAC, Spotify Connect
Subwoofer: Yes
Power output (rated): 656W

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive Dolby Atmos
+
Two HDMI inputs
+
Easy to set up

Reasons to avoid

-
Missing UI and streaming apps
-
Weak 5.1 surround
-
Troubling disconnecting issues

The Samsung HW-Q990B is the equivalent of the old home theater in a box packages. Buy one and right out of the box you have yourself an 11.1.4 surround sound system that is powerful and sleek while still being easy to set up and install. 

If you like your soundbars loud and don’t have neighbors to worry about, you’re going to love it. With a claimed 656W total power output, it’s hard not to be impressed by the output of this speaker. The Adaptive Sound uses built-in microphones to adjust the output to your surroundings, and can help boost the height speakers. In terms of clarity and depth of sound, there’s a lot to like here and delivers detailed audio and impressive Dolby Atmos sound. 

It’s not quite as feature-complete as we’d like at this price point, but if you’re looking for a strong soundbar that can rattle the windows, the Samsung HW-Q990B is worth auditioning in your home theater.

Read the full Samsung HW-Q990B review.

The Sony HT-A7000 is one of the best soundbars of 2022

(Image credit: Sony)
Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio

Specifications

Size: 51 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 5 5/8 inches
Inputs/outputs: 2x HDMI in; 1x HDMI out (eARC/ARC); Digital optical; 3.5mm analog audio jack in; USB-A; Ethernet
Audio channels: 7.1.2
Wireless : AirPlay 2; Bluetooth SBC, AAC, LDAC; Chromecast; Spotify Connect
Subwoofer: No
Power output: 500W
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
High build quality
+
Best for surround format support
+
Clear sound with dialog

Reasons to avoid

-
Small display
-
Subwoofer sold separately
-
High price compared to rivals

Like its predecessor (HT-ST5000), the HT-A7000 is a full-featured home-theater speaker system designed to be the mainstay of any home TV, music, and gaming setup for years to come. Its feature-laden spec highlights include full support for Dolby Atmos soundtracks and hi-res audio, music streaming, as well as two HDMI 2.1 ports that enable users to connect both a PS5 and Xbox Series X to the soundbar at the same time. 

The Sony HT-A7000 soundbar is an elegant TV speaker solution with impressive sound that enhances the performance of even the best TVs. It achieves a wrap-around cinematic effect with the right content, and Dolby Atmos material has a more enveloping effect thanks to the Sony's format handling and up-firing speakers — the only downside is the difficult to decipher display showing the audio format. Dialog was clear and has enough weight to give booming voices gravitas to carry them with conviction, but for real cinematic performance and satisfaction, you're really going to have to factor in a wireless sub. 

Read the full Sony HT-A7000 review.

The Creative Stage V2 placed in front of a TV

(Image credit: Future)
The best low-cost soundbar and subwoofer combo

Specifications

Size: 26.8 x 3 x 3.9 inches, 4.4 pounds
Inputs/outputs: Optical, 3.5mm, HDMI ARC, USB
Audio channels: 2.1
Bluetooth: Yes
Subwoofer: Yes
Power output (rated): 160W
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Very cheap
+
Varied ports
+
Adjustable sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Short subwoofer cable
-
Plastic attracts dust

Cheap and compact but deceptively rich-sounding, the Creative Stage V2 is another fantastic choice for those on tight budgets. The dedicated subwoofer treats lower frequencies much better than the majority of cut-price standalone soundbars, and the clearness of dialog impressed in our testing.

There's also a "Surround" mode that widens the soundstage beyond the Stage V2's modest dimensions, and you can tweak the sound even further with bass and treble boost settings. Connectivity is very good for the money, too — in addition to the expected optical and 3.5mm inputs, there's HDMI ARC, USB and Bluetooth to play with too.

Read our full Creative Stage V2 review.

Sonos Ray on a coffee table

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Most affordable Sonos soundbar yet and a great entry to its ecosystem

Specifications

Size: 22 x 3.5 x 2.8 inches
Audio inputs: Optical digital
Audio channels: 2.0
Bluetooth: Yes
Subwoofer: Optional
Power output (rated): Not specified
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Pleasingly compact
+
Nicely balanced sound
+
All the usual plus-points of Sonos multi-room

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most expansive sound
-
No HDMI

The brand new Sonos Ray is the company's most affordable soundbar yet and has a sound that's unified, confident and detailed. It's compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround information but is essentially a stereo speaker. Nevertheless, it’s got the punch to propel a Hollywood blockbuster forwards, and the deft powers of communication to make sure you never miss a moment’s nuance where dialogue is concerned. It’s even quite an engaging listen when used as a music speaker, too.  

If you already have a Sonos speaker or two, and are after a usefully compact soundbar with some genuine performance highlights, go right ahead: the Sonos Ray is here to charm and delight you. If you’re unconcerned about wider multi-room possibilities, though, this soundbar is far from the only game in town — and it’s possible to buy just as much of the good stuff the Ray delivers without spending quite as much as Sonos is asking.

Read our full Sonos Ray review.

Polk MagniFi Mini soundbar package in black on blue background for Best Gifts for Music Lovers

(Image credit: Polk Audio)
(opens in new tab)
The best soundbar for smaller spaces

Specifications

Size: 13.4 x 4.3 x 3.1 inches
Inputs/Outputs: HDMI, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB
Audio Channels: 5.1
Bluetooth: Yes
Subwoofer: Yes
Power output (rated): Not specified
Wall mountable: No

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful bass and clear vocals
+
Wireless subwoofer
+
Google Cast audio integration

Reasons to avoid

-
No onscreen display or mobile app
-
Harsh treble

No soundbar packs huge audio into a tiny package quite like the Polk MagniFi Mini does. This unassuming speaker will fit seamlessly into any setup, and delivers crisp dialogue and deep bass with the help of its included wireless subwoofer. Plus, with Google Cast support, the MagniFi Mini doubles as a great home music speaker.

The MagniFi Mini gets loud enough to fill most bedrooms and small apartments, and we found it reliable for getting immersed in movies and TV shows. Factor in a handy remote and an easy setup process, and you've got the best soundbar out there for folks short on space. And at $300, it won't set you back much, either.

Read our full Polk MagniFi Mini review.

Close up of Bose soundbar show speaker grille and branding

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and multiroom

Specifications

Size: 41.14 x 4.21 x 2.29 inches
Inputs/outputs: HDMI eARC; Optical in; Ethernet port; ADAPTiQ; Subwoofer out
Audio channels: 5.0.2
Wireless: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth (4.2); AirPlay 2
Subwoofer: No (optional)
Power output (rated): Not specified
Wall mountable: Yes (via optional kit)

Reasons to buy

+
Slim and sleek design
+
Automatic room correction
+
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in
+
Dolby Atmos support
+
Good overall levels of sound for movies

Reasons to avoid

-
Bass output is so-so
-
Not so great for music listening

Bose’s first soundbar to support immersive surround sound technology through Dolby Atmos, also offers multiroom audio, integrated voice assistants and there's even room for expansion via wireless Bose surrounds and a wired subwoofer. Like the Sonos Arc it's priced at $899, but the Bose separates itself with a smaller and more sleek design, but while it sounds good overall, it can’t match the Arc when it comes to bass and virtual surround sound.

Easy to setup with plenty of options to help you tune the sound to your own surroundings, the Bose performs well with movies, although the addition of a subwoofer would give movie soundtracks a useful further boost. Dolby Atmos effects come across well, but bass levels can get a bet overzealous when playing music. All-in-all, the Bose is well-featured and a good choice for those already signed up to its ecosystem but ultimately is outperformed by the Sonos Arc at the same price.       

Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review

The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam propped on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for affordable Atmos

Specifications

Size: 27.9 x 2.3 x 3.9 inches
Inputs/Outputs: HDMI ARC, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB
Audio Channels: 5.0
Bluetooth: Yes
Subwoofer: No
Power output (rated): 250W
Wall mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Good Dolby Atmos performance
+
Auto calibration
+
Doesn't need a subwoofer

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited sound controls
-
No mobile app

Yet more proof that you don't need to spend big to get quality Dolby Atmos integration, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam defies its standalone form factor with a respectable attempt at digital surround sound — not to mention powerful bass, even without a subwoofer.

Although we'd have liked a few more ways to manually adjust the sound output, the Bar 5.0 MultiBeam also features a handy auto calibration feature that tunes Atmos playback for the dimensions of your living room specifically. This helps contribute to a strong sense of audio positioning, again something you can't always be sure about with single soundbars. Still, it works, and is just another reason the Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is one of the best soundbars.

Read our full JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam review.

How to choose the best soundbar for you

Soundbar size: There are a number of factors that play into deciding which soundbar you should buy. Size will likely be prohibitive for most customers; you obviously need a soundbar that will suit your TV and space constraints within your entertainment console. And, because a soundbar is one of the centerpieces of your home theater setup, it has to look good and fit stylistically.

Then you have to factor in the size of the room you're dealing with, and the distance viewers would typically be sitting from the TV. If you're dealing with a larger space, it's probably best to target soundbars that come with a subwoofer — you'll surely appreciate the extra bass.

Connectivity: Connectivity is crucial too, both in terms of wired and wireless access. Not every soundbar comes with an HDMI port; some force you to make do with optical audio. That's perfectly fine if you want to use your TV as a pass-through, but those who are in dire need of more HDMI ports — because their capacity is limited between game consoles, streaming boxes and so on — will need to prioritize options that offer those additional connections.

Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best soundbars. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a soundbar the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if the sound quality is poor. 

As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now there are plenty of sales on with many of our favorite models discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best tech deals page to keep track of the latest savings.

How we test the best soundbars

When testing for inclusion in our best soundbars page, we play a range of media — including movies, music and games — in order to evaluate overall sound quality. We also test any companion software that may come with a soundbar, and factor in how easy it is to set up and use each device.

Other features we consider include a soundbar's inputs, outputs and ability to be wall mounted, all of which determine how well it will work with your home entertainment setup. We also take into account each soundbar's wattage, its supported audio channels and whether it includes a subwoofer — all factors that greatly affect how each speaker will sound in your living room.

Once testing is completed, we rate the best soundbars based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.

Contributions from: Nick Pino, Simon Lucas, Michael Gowan

More: Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.

Next: For further TV help don't forget to check out how to chose the right big-screen TV for you as well as our guide to the best TVs that we've tested. If you're considering a Dolby Atmos soundbar, then our new guide to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars provides expert advice.

Plus: Yamaha unveils SR-C30A entry-level soundbar to rival Sonos Ray.

Lee Dunkley
Audio Editor

As a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which? magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring.

  • anchoragedj
    Gotta tell ya, it's spendy but incredible sound. Both 'musically' and for theater/surround reflection. The B&W Panorama2 improved on the original significantly. HDMI inputs, including a forth 'bi-directional' HDMI connector so your tv can be rerouted through the soundbar itself. Sub out and you're set in a medium, even large living room. While the Bose is an excellent bar, the Pano is a MONSTER in comparison..IMHO, and as always your mileage may vary;)
    J
    Reply
  • Colin Lee
    I can see I need to do more research...
    Reply
  • Heshacherrr
    I am very curious why there are no review of any of the new Bose soundbars (the Cinemate 15, 120 or 130). I was considering buying one of them but found absolutely no reviews of them.
    Reply
  • Martinaia
    Sony is best. Beats overrated bose easy!
    Reply
  • zerk11
    Creative SoundBlaster ROAR for $149 is the best out there.
    Reply
  • watchingcrow
    Hey Tom's,
    I just bought a Toshiba 40" 1080 with a DTS (digital output) and am trying to upgrade somewhat but someone once told me it is a lot easier to spend to little money than too much. Anyway, 2.1 is attractive for a bunch of reasons but I read that that was not surround sound and with only two speakers was really for listening to music. So I started looking at the 5.1 don't really need the woofer if there is one built in but what I am most interested in the having the "center speakers" as my wife and i have trouble with speech/dialog etc and have read that that goes through the center speakers and you can increase the volume there and have better speach recognition. So, anyway, i see that you are only recommending the 2.1 systems here and so it looks like you don't agree with the need for 5.1
    Reply
  • rexter
    There no mention of Niro or even Nakamichi
    Reply
  • iam2thecrowe
    best "sound bar" is a pair of stereo speakers.........seriously just a small bookshelf speaker on each side of your tv if you don't have room for something large. I'm sorry one of those people still finding it hard to believe how anything in "bar" form takes off so easily, even if its crap. I find it hard to believe the Bose is a top pick considering most audio sites gave it an average rating and poor value for money. Did you actually review the Bose system? or just pop it in the article because of the name or amazon reviews?
    Reply
  • Runamok81
    Can't believe no one reviews the Phillips Fidelio HTL 7180. Wireless sub AND wireless surrounds. $350.
    Reply
  • yorich
    Goldenear Super Cinema 3d array...best 999.99 I've ever spent. Sounds better than any of this crap here, looks fantastic, couldn't be happier. This list is a joke
    Reply